Air NZ Executives Quit

Air New Zealand deputy chief executive Norm Thompson has announced that he is resigning from the airline company. The long-time employee will retire in June 2013.

Thompson’s departure adds to the long list of Air New Zealand executives who left or will leave the company. Glen Sowry, another Air NZ executive, is also quitting after 10 years of employment in the company.

Human resources and technical operations head Vanessa Stoddart also said she is leaving effective end of 2012.

Christopher Luxon will assume the position of chief executive in January 2013, six months before the Thompson officially leaves Air NZ.  His appointment was announced last June.

Luxon takes over the position from Rob Fyfe, a much-loved executive in Air New Zealand. Fyfe has yet to say whether he is leaving or staying with the airline. He has said earlier that he is exploring other options, including take a job out of New Zealand.

Employees and executives are waiting on the changes that Luxon may implement. He now makes regular appearances in Air NZ offices to familiarize himself with the operations.

Luxon was a former executive from Unilever.  He and Bruce Parton were the ones considered for the post.

Now that Luxon is officially the new chief executive, he is expected to turn around the financial stability of the airline. Last year, Air New Zealand was losing about NZ$1 million weekly.

The airline also has about 20-percent stake with Virgin Australia.